PhD in business - GMAT et al
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31 May 2016, 15:23
Hello!
I took the GMAT last week and scored 700 (Q49, V37, IR6). Although I am largely disappointed with the verbal score (I easily scored 40+ in practice tests, but timed the section awfully during the main deal), I wonder if I should spend more time and effort in retaking the GMAT, given the fact that 700 is respectable and within the +/- 50 range from the average score of top B schools.
I am working on applications for a PhD in business (Marketing). Post my MBA in 2009 (cgpa 3.95 from a reputed international university in Asia), I have worked for 4-5 years in the Product Management function of a the manufacturing sector.
My undergraduate degree was a B. Tech in Electronics engineering from India. I have worked in the Software industry for the first two years of my professional life.
As an MBA student, I worked on two interesting consulting projects which involved substantial research work, experiences which I hope will stand my PhD application in good stead. The first was as team member of an extensive university-industry collaboration consulting project, for a Finnish telecommunications company. The second was as an independent consultant (this was an Internship) for a Switzerland based logistics company. both projects involved conducting feasibility studies and formulating suitable market entry strategies for the companies.
In my 8 years of professional experience, I have worked and studied in Europe and Thailand, besides India in industries ranging from Public Relations to Water Technologies, apart from the ones already mentioned above.
I would like to enumerate my questions regarding my prospective application below, and sincerely hope you would help me out with some pointers:
1. Should I retake the GMAT?
2. How much should I harp on my varied professional experiences? Are they an advantage at all for a PhD application?
3. With regards to community service, I have taken part in activities related to environment and children's education. Will these experiences help make my application stronger?
4. Most schools have mentioned a "preference" for letters of recommendation from academics over industry persons. However, I think I will be able to manage only 60% of the letters from academics. Will this be a significant disadvantage? If so, I will try to reach out to more professors from my MBA times (does not help that I have not been in touch with most of them in the last 6 years)
Thank you for your consideration. Really appreciate your time!
Deka B
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